Deborah Ejem, PhD
Funded Projects
Reducing Disparities in the Quality of Palliative Care for Older African Americans through Improved Advance Care Planning (EQUAL ACP)
Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) (R-1609-36381)
9/1/2017 – 5/31/2024
This study compares the effectiveness of two different approaches to advance care planning among older African Americans and older Whites living in the community. The two approaches are a structured approach with an advance care planning conversation led by a trained person using Respecting Choices (First Steps) and a patient-driven approach which includes a Five Wishes advance care planning form written in plain
Exploring Spiritual Concerns, Needs, and Resources in Outpatient Care: A Case for Spiritual Care as a Core Service in Facilities Serving Under-resourced Patients
Dean’s Scholar Award
11/1/2021 – 12/31/2023
The purpose of this small-scale pilot trial is to determine feasibility and acceptability of a culturally-responsive chaplain-led spiritual care intervention with African American patients with chronic illness and their family caregivers at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority (CGMHSA).
Addressing Communication Challenges Confronting Older African Americans with Multiple Chronic Conditions and their Family Caregivers (Black Health Identification Program)
National Palliative Care Research Center
7/1/2021 - 12/312023
This study’s purpose is to conduct a formative evaluation of a Self-directed “My Health Priorities” Identification Program to determine cultural acceptability and feasibility of use in among AAs with MCCs in a primary care setting. The 2-phase study specific aims are to: Conduct a single-arm formative evaluation trial of "Self-directed 'My Health Priorities' Identification Program" to determine acceptability and feasitibility and 2) to examine the ability of the dyads to complete pre- and post-test measures of perception of care, treatment burden, shared decision-making, and communication exchange.
Shena Gazaway, PhD
Funded Projects
ADAPT HF (Addressing pain through A navigator-led Palliative care optimized for Heart Failure)
UAB Integrative Center for Aging
10/1/2022 - 9/31/2023
Over 80% of the 6.2 million U.S. adults with heart failure (HF) report frequent pain with nearly 75% indicating that pain interferes with their daily living; yet pain is often unaddressed. The goals of this study are two-fold: 1) to develop and refine community-based, navigator-nurse led PC pain intervention components to address pain disparities in older Black adults with HF and 2) to determine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the refined intervention components. These findings will directly inform a fully-powered optimization trial leading to an optimized PC pain intervention to improve older Black adults with HF’s pain outcomes.
Rita Jablonski, PhD
Funded Projects
Fewer Drugs & Bugs: Decreasing Antipsychotic Drug Use and Preventable Infections in Nursing Home Residents by Leveraging the Head-to-Toe Infection Prevention Program with Care-Resistant Behavior Dementia Training
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services/C210620054
7/1/2022 - 6/30/2026
The primary objective of the proposed project is to reduce antipsychotic usage for persons with dementia residing in long term care facilities; the secondary objective of the proposed project is to reduce pneumonia, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections.
Coaching Dementia Caregivers to Master Care-Resistant Behavior: CuRB-IT
NIH/NIA/R01AG074255
9/1/2021 - 6/30/2026
This project addresses a critical gap in knowledge by evaluating an evidence-based, tele-coaching intervention, Care-Resistant Behavior Internet Training (CuRB-IT), to enhance coping skills of family caregivers and reduce EAN
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/5l-EmW410Ee-_e1BKfytxw/project-details/10478199
J. Nicholas Odom, PhD
Funded Projects
Lay Coach-led Early Palliative Care for Underserved Advanced Cancer Caregivers
NIH/NCI/R37CA252868
7/10/2020 – 06/30/2025
The burden placed on family caregivers and the toll on their mental and physical health have never been greater and will continue to rise; by 2026 the number of individuals with cancer is expected to be over 20 million and in 2019, the number in their last year of life was over 600,000. Healthcare clinicians should be concerned with the health of family caregivers for their own sake, but also because these caregivers deliver over 80% of the home care to community-dwelling patients with advanced illness. It is thus imperative that interventions be developed that keep caregivers healthy and functioning, not only for their own sake, but also so they can provide the best care possible to patients with cancer.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/L9ggelJPK0CSe2X14jrj9Q/project-details/10524204
Decision Support Training for Advanced Cancer Family Caregivers: The CASCADE Factorial Trial
NIH/NCI/R01CA262039
7/15/2021 – 6/30/2026
A priority focus in oncology and palliative care is preparing the 3.2 million US family caregivers of persons with cancer to effectively partner with patients in health related decision making from diagnosis to the end of life, particularly in underserved settings. Over 70% of patients with cancer involve relatives, friends and partners in healthcare decisions, including choices about cancer treatments, surgery, transitions, location of care, accessing palliative and hospice care, and many others. Patients making healthcare decisions with unprepared family caregivers may experience inadequate family decision support leading to heightened distress and receipt of care inconsistent with their values and preferences, which may in turn increase distress for family caregivers.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/p6V_KuaqwkSzE2zjx93ANA/project-details/10451589
A Mixed Methods Exploration of the Values Elicitation Experiences of Patients with an LVAD and their Family Caregivers
Signa/HPNA
Co-PI: Avery Bechthold
8/1/2023 – 7/31/2024
This convergent mixed methods dissertation study focuses on exploring facilitators and barriers to values discussions between patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), their family caregivers, and the healthcare team.